Purpose of the survey

A review of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve is underway to determine whether it continues to meet the objectives for which it was established and to ensure that its management aligns with contemporary conservation and community priorities.

Ngāti Konohi, who hold mana whenua over the area of the coast that includes Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, supported the establishment in 1999 so long as DOC agreed to a ‘generational review’ after 25 years. To fulfil that commitment, DOC are partnering with Ngāti Konohi to complete a review.

The review will examine the health of life within the reserve, management practices and how the community engages with the reserve. This review will result in a report with recommendations relating to the ecological status of the reserve, its management, and the connection of iwi, hapū and whānau, as well as the wider community, with the reserve.

Ngāti Konohi Kōrero

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako holds a special place in the history, identity, and future of our rohe moana. Twenty-five years ago, a vision was realised to protect this important marine environment for future generations. Today, we stand at another significant point in that journey.

The establishment of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako was the result of many years of commitment, advocacy, and engagement. At the heart of that journey was Ngāti Konohi and the desire to protect the moana, its taonga and its future generations. The 25-year review was part of that original vision — an opportunity for future generations to look back, assess what has happened, and consider what is needed for the future.

We want to hear from the people who know this place, who have lived alongside it, worked on it, learned from it, and cared for it. The 25-year generational review provides an important opportunity to bring together mātauranga, lived experience, community knowledge, and scientific information. It is an opportunity to reflect honestly on where we have come from, understand where we are today, and consider where we need to go next.

How to have your say

To help with the review, we invite anyone who uses, values or enjoys Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve to share their views.

Survey closes 21 September 2026.

Once submitted, survey responses are subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your survey response confidential, state this in writing when completing your survey.

What happens next

Survey responses will inform the final review report on Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve. DOC will publish this report on the DOC website at the conclusion of the process.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact us via email: TToRmarinereview@doc.govt.nz.